Plasmodium ovale

Plasmodium ovale 01

Relative incidence of Plasmodium (malaria) species by country of origin for imported cases to non-endemic countries

Microphotograph of Plasmodium ovale microgametocyte in Giemsa-stained thin blood film, with Schüffner's dots and hemozoin pigment

Microphotographs of Plasmodium ovale in Giemsa-stained thin blood films

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IEcycle

Plasmodium ovale is a protozoan parasite and one of the species of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans. It is one of the five species of Plasmodium that commonly infect humans, the others being Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi. Plasmodium ovale is less common compared to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Plasmodium ovale involves two hosts: the Anopheles mosquito and humans. The cycle begins when an infected Anopheles mosquito bites a human, injecting sporozoites into the bloodstream. These sporozoites travel to the liver, where they infect liver cells and mature into schizonts. The schizonts then rupture, releasing merozoites into the bloodstream, which infect red blood cells. Inside the red blood cells, the parasites undergo asexual reproduction, leading to the formation of more merozoites. Some of these merozoites develop into gametocytes, which can be taken up by another mosquito during a blood meal, continuing the cycle.

Clinical Features

Plasmodium ovale causes a form of malaria known as ovale malaria. The symptoms of ovale malaria are similar to those caused by other Plasmodium species and include fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain. The fever in ovale malaria typically follows a tertian pattern, occurring every 48 hours. Unlike Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium ovale infections are generally less severe and less likely to be fatal.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Plasmodium ovale infection is typically made through microscopic examination of blood smears, where the characteristic oval-shaped infected red blood cells can be observed. Molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can also be used for more accurate identification.

Treatment

The treatment for Plasmodium ovale malaria includes antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine and primaquine. Chloroquine is used to treat the blood stage of the infection, while primaquine is used to target the liver stage and prevent relapse.

Epidemiology

Plasmodium ovale is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, but it can also be found in some parts of Asia and the Western Pacific. It is less prevalent than Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

Related Pages

• Malaria
• Plasmodium falciparum
• Plasmodium vivax
• Plasmodium malariae
• Plasmodium knowlesi
• Anopheles

See Also

• Protozoa
• Vector (epidemiology)
• Infectious disease

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